NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — A survey of county, city, town and village elected officials across New York found a majority need federal aid due to revenue losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey, by the SUNY New Paltz-based Benjamin Center, asked 233 elected leaders in the state "about how they and their communities are handling the COVID-19 crisis,” said a summary written by KT Tobin, director of the center.

The summary (posted online at bit.ly/covid19-fedaid) said 58 percent of the respondents expressed a strong need for federal aid "due to the revenue shortfalls that are a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic."

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"The vast majority say the deficits will be due to precipitous drops in tax revenues, in particular sales tax, and many say now is not the time to raise taxes,” the summary said.

Also: “Nearly every local leader said they are concerned about the fiscal impacts of COVID-19, including 76 percent who are very concerned. Ninety-four percent say budget gaps are likely, including 76 percent who say revenue shortfalls are very likely."

The survey was conducted online from April 9 to 22. It has a margin of error of 6.4 percentage points, the Benjamin Center said.

The survey found COVID-19 has presented major challenges to localities and that "85 percent of local government leaders fear their community’s ability to respond effectively,” Tobin wrote in the summary.

The survey found broad support for the pandemic response by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and county executives, though less for the response by the federal government.

“Nine in 10 local leaders approve of their county executive’s handling of this crisis, and 81 percent approve of Governor Cuomo’s COVID-19 response,” the Tobin wrote. “... In contrast, 43 percent approve of how President Trump is managing the crisis.”

The survey found 85 percent of elected leaders were concerned about their community’s ability to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including 37 percent who said they were "very concerned."

Municipal finances were chief among their concerns.

“Nearly every local leader expressed concern about the fiscal impacts of COVID-19, including 76 percent who are 'very concerned,'” according to the summary. “And nearly all leaders report expected revenue shortfalls. Ninety-four percent say budget gaps are likely, including 76 percent who say revenue shortfalls are 'very likely.'”

Eighty-nine percent said they expected shortfalls to be driven primarily by reduced tax revenues, and two-thirds pointed specifically to expected declines in sales tax.

About 22 percent of the respondents said reduced state and federal aid would be the main driver of revenue losses, while 20 percent said reduced local economic activity would depress revenues.

Additionally, Tobin wrote, "one in five leaders identified a reduction in fees and fines to be a driving factor of revenue shortfalls."

Three in 10 local leaders said there is a need for state funding to help deal with the budget gaps they are experiencing as a result of the pandemic, the survey found. Also, according to Tobin's summary, "27 percent say they need better communication and assistance in interpreting the constantly changing directives from Albany."